You can get rid of mucus in your chest by using home remedies like hot steam, soup, and certain medications. Mucus is a substance that lubricates and protects several organs, but too much can be a sign of an infection. Phlegm is mucus that can build up in your lungs and cause a cough.

Several home remedies can relieve chest congestion. It’s important to note they are not cures for the infection responsible for the mucus production in your chest.

Try adding some honey to a warm drink like tea to help clear up chest congestion even further. Research has shown that honey has nutrients that support the immune system. Honey can also relieve coughing when you mix it with warm water, which can dissolve phlegm in the respiratory tract.

Do not give honey to children younger than 1 year old. Honey increases the risk of botulism, which is a toxin-caused illness that affects the body’s nervous system, in infants.

Research has shown that cigarette smoking can keep the cilia in your lungs from clearing mucus. Cilia are hair-like cells that move mucus out of the body. Mucus can build up in the lungs if they do not work properly.

Other irritants can also cause mucus build-up. Chemicals and pollution can irritate your lower airways and cause chest congestion.

Sitting up while you’re awake may help you feel less congested. Changing how you lie down can be beneficial for clearing up any mucus in your chest. You might also prop yourself up with pillows whenever you’re ready to get some sleep, which can help you rest and recover from your illness.

Some herbal products help clear phlegm out of your airways. These products may include ingredients like:

The use of these products may have side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems. Always speak with a healthcare provider before using natural remedies.

Congestion relief may be possible if you cough up mucus. Mucus can remain in your airways when you’re unable to control your cough. You can help loosen and move mucus through your airways by having more control over your cough, if possible.

Warm soups, like chicken soup, may ease chest congestion—though it’s not a cure for an illness like a cold. Soup has two advantages. The first is that it can offer a decongestion benefit from the steam. The second is that it’s a way to up your fluid intake to help thin mucus.

Staying hydrated with enough water can help loosen mucus. Water makes mucus thinner. A drink like hot tea might also be soothing if you’ve been coughing due to chest congestion. It has the added benefit of inhaling some steam while you take a sip.

Spending time in a hot shower can also be beneficial. Another option is to run hot water in your sink and cover your head and the faucet with a towel, breathing in the steam. The warm steam helps open up your airways, making it easier to cough up mucus.

Viral infections, such as a cold and the flu, often cause chest mucus. Treatments that are available over the counter won’t cure you of these viruses, but they can bring symptom relief.

Medications called expectorants contain an ingredient called guaifenesin, which may help break up the mucus in your chest. Common brands include Mucinex and Robitussin. Chest congestion medications that contain guaifenesin don’t always work for everyone, but they’re generally safe to use.

Getting moisture into the air with a humidifier can be a helpful home remedy for chest congestion. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s worth a try as long as you use it safely. Humidifiers can breed mold and fungi, which can cause other infections. Clean your humidifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Chest congestion is sometimes a minor nuisance that may not require more than home remedies. See a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve or are concerning, such as:

• Bloody mucus when you cough
• A cough that lasts more than three weeks or is accompanied by a fever
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Severe chest congestion

It’s also important to see a healthcare provider if you have chest congestion in general. Mucus in your chest can be a symptom of several chronic lung diseases, like:

• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis, an inflammatory condition related to the bronchi (large tubes connected to the windpipe)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that causes mucus to build up in the body

There are a few ways to get relief if you have mucus in your chest. Hot drinks, humidifiers, some herbal products, and medications like expectorants can all be helpful for chest congestion. Consult a healthcare provider if you have chest congestion and if symptoms like trouble breathing and fever accompany it.